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	Regina Prepared to File for Bankruptcy By Mike McWilliams Iowa City Press-Citizen October 9, 2006 http://www.hawkcentral.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061009/NEWS01/61009004/1079/HAWKS Regina Catholic Education Center is prepared to file for chapter 11 bankruptcy should it come out on the losing end of three sexual abuse lawsuits, one of which is scheduled for trial later this month, school board members said today. "We are not sitting in judgment of either the plaintiffs or Bishop (Lawrence) Soens," board treasurer Patrice Carroll told reporters during a press conference at the 2140 Rochester Ave. school. "We weren't around at that time and we don't know what actually happened. "Our only focus is ensuring that we can continue to provide an education in a Christ-centered environment to our children regardless of what the legal outcome is," Carroll said. Regina, the Catholic Diocese of Davenport and Soens, who served as Regina High's first principal from 1958 to 1967, have been named in three lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by Soens during his tenure. Soens, now retired, also served as bishop of the Sioux City Diocese from 1983 to 1998. One of the three lawsuits are set for trial Oct. 23 in Scott County District Court. School Board Chairman Lee Iben said the trial is expected to take five days after a jury is picked. Carroll said filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy would provide protection from "seizing assts until we are able to put together a plan that enables us to meet the obligations of the court as well as keep the school running." Carroll said the school has been working with a bankruptcy lawyer since May 2005 to prepare to file if there's an "adverse" judgment against the school. Iben said the school's position is that is should not be named in the lawsuit because Soens was hired, supervised and transferred by the diocese. Also, since so much time has elapsed since the allegations, Iben said the statute of limitations should apply to this case. "Finally, Bishop Soens has denied all of the allegations and no adult who was employed during Bishop Soens' time here has any recollection of inappropriate actions," Iben said. Carroll said the school has not attempted to settle with any of the plaintiffs, which include as many as 15 among the three lawsuits.
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